Ryan Busony
If you’ve attended a PAWS Chicago event, you may have met our mascot, Happy the Dog. However, you probably haven’t met Ryan Busony—one of a handful of volunteers who have brought this beloved character to life.
Ryan Busony started helping out at PAWS Chicago in February 2022 after making a New Year’s resolution to volunteer more.
“I tried a few charities, but PAWS was my favorite by a lot. I think most people who've owned a pet inherently have a soft spot to help homeless pets and to do their part against the threat of euthanasia that we’re experiencing in Chicago. I'm one of them, owning a Maine Coon cat for four years.”
Today, Ryan mainly works as a Level 2 dog volunteer at the Medical Center.
“Here's a hot take: I've lately enjoyed doing chores (dishes/laundry) more than working with doggos. This is probably because I find listening to podcasts most engaging when doing chores for some reason. Plus, a lot of staff thank me for my help when I do chores because of how much the help is needed.”
In addition to volunteering at the Medical Center, Ryan has also helped out by appearing as PAWS mascot Happy the Dog.
"Mascotting for PAWS is super fun! I went to a local elementary school where PAWS received a check from the school as a donation. I was dressed up in the PAWS ‘Happy the Dog’ mascot to hype the kids up, and it was a lot of fun interacting with them!”
But no matter how or where you choose to volunteer with PAWS, Ryan says it gets you moving and motivated.
“If you've got a desk job, being on your feet for a few hours a week volunteering at PAWS is a great way to get you out of your sedentary lifestyle.”